Psychological Features of Mothers of Premature and Full-term Babies

Aim: To evaluate the psychological peculiarities of mothers of preterm and term birth infants, and their attitude to breastfeeding before and after childbirth.

Design: Observational study.

Materials and methods. The subjects of the research were a pregnant woman at 12-week gestation randomly selected from 5 maternity hospitals in Yerevan. 268 pregnant women were eligible for inclusion in this observational study and created a total group. After birth, mothers were divided into groups of full-term (n = 239) and premature (n = 29) babies. We analysed baseline demographics, health information of the mother, history of pregnancy and delivery, as well as health information of babies. We assessed the presence of depressive symptoms with a Beck Depression Inventory and situational and individual anxiety levels with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results. Assessment of the psychological status demonstrated a high level of state anxiety: 26.7 ± 1.4 and 45.8 ± 1.5 points in mothers of full-term and premature babies, respectively; in mothers of premature babies, the value was significantly higher (р < 0.05). Personal anxiety was relatively inert, there were no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Depressive symptoms were also more pronounced in preterm mothers (moderate depression) than in term birth mothers (mild mood disturbance): 22.5 ± 0.8 points vs. 11.4 ± 0.9 points (p < 0.01). The majority of women (68.3%) who had preterm delivery had a high level of state anxiety (р < 0.01 vs. mothers of full-term babies). Women who were ready to breastfeed longer after the baby is born had more marked signs of depression. In mothers full-term and premature babies, the attitude to breastfeeding before delivery demonstrated direct correlation with the level of depression on Beck depression inventory (r = 0.75, p = 0.02 and r = 0.68, p < 0.01, respectively). The degree of state anxiety in mothers of premature babies correlated with hospitalisation duration (r = 0.9, p = 0.008).

Conclusions. Mothers of preterm infants need psychological care based on high level of situational anxiety and depressive symptoms. Breastfeeding is a good biological tool for improved interaction of the mother with her baby; it boosts psychological comfort and reduces anxiety and depression.

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